1|Page
NSG 530 EXAM 1 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM |
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST 2026-2027
VERSION |RATED A +
1. A patient experiences tissue hypoxia due to severe anemia.
Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur initially?
A. Apoptosis
B. Fatty change
C. Cellular swelling
D. Necrosis
Italicized rationale: Acute hypoxia disrupts ATP
production, impairing sodium–potassium pumps and
leading to reversible cellular swelling as the earliest
adaptation.
2. Which mechanism best explains how free radicals
contribute to cellular injury?
A. Inhibition of DNA transcription
B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes
D. Enhanced mitochondrial replication
Italicized rationale: Free radicals damage cells primarily
through lipid peroxidation, leading to membrane
instability and loss of integrity.
,2|Page
3. A mutation resulting in a nonfunctional protein is most
consistent with which genetic concept?
A. Polymorphism
B. Loss-of-function mutation
C. Anticipation
D. Mosaicism
Italicized rationale: Loss-of-function mutations result in
reduced or absent protein activity, commonly associated
with autosomal recessive disorders.
4. Which phase of the cell cycle is most susceptible to
radiation injury?
A. G0
B. G1
C. M phase
D. S phase
Italicized rationale: Cells are most vulnerable to radiation
during mitosis due to active chromosome separation.
5. A patient with chronic inflammation is at increased risk for
which long-term consequence?
A. Resolution without scarring
B. Decreased fibroblast activity
C. Fibrosis and tissue remodeling
D. Reduced angiogenesis
Italicized rationale: Chronic inflammation promotes
fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, leading
to fibrosis.
6. Which mediator is primarily responsible for vasodilation
during acute inflammation?
A. Platelet-activating factor
B. Histamine
C. Bradykinin
,3|Page
D. Leukotrienes
Italicized rationale: Histamine released from mast cells
causes immediate vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability.
7. A patient presents with localized redness, warmth,
swelling, and pain. These findings are best explained by
which mechanism?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Increased blood flow and vascular permeability
C. Reduced leukocyte migration
D. Platelet aggregation
Italicized rationale: Cardinal signs of inflammation result
from vasodilation and increased permeability allowing
plasma proteins to leak into tissues.
8. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for antigen
presentation to helper T cells?
A. Neutrophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Dendritic cell
D. Natural killer cell
Italicized rationale: Dendritic cells are the most potent
antigen-presenting cells, initiating adaptive immune
responses.
9. In type I hypersensitivity reactions, which immunoglobulin
is involved?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgA
D. IgE
Italicized rationale: IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
is the hallmark of immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
, 4|Page
10. A patient with septic shock has persistent hypotension
despite fluid resuscitation. Which pathophysiologic
mechanism is most responsible?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Reduced nitric oxide production
C. Systemic vasodilation from inflammatory mediators
D. Increased cardiac afterload
Italicized rationale: Sepsis causes widespread vasodilation
due to cytokine and nitric oxide release, leading to
refractory hypotension.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause
cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Italicized rationale: Elevated potassium directly alters
cardiac membrane excitability, increasing arrhythmia
risk.
12. A patient with prolonged vomiting is at risk for which
acid–base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Italicized rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting
results in metabolic alkalosis.
13. Which compensatory mechanism occurs in metabolic
acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
NSG 530 EXAM 1 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM |
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST 2026-2027
VERSION |RATED A +
1. A patient experiences tissue hypoxia due to severe anemia.
Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur initially?
A. Apoptosis
B. Fatty change
C. Cellular swelling
D. Necrosis
Italicized rationale: Acute hypoxia disrupts ATP
production, impairing sodium–potassium pumps and
leading to reversible cellular swelling as the earliest
adaptation.
2. Which mechanism best explains how free radicals
contribute to cellular injury?
A. Inhibition of DNA transcription
B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes
D. Enhanced mitochondrial replication
Italicized rationale: Free radicals damage cells primarily
through lipid peroxidation, leading to membrane
instability and loss of integrity.
,2|Page
3. A mutation resulting in a nonfunctional protein is most
consistent with which genetic concept?
A. Polymorphism
B. Loss-of-function mutation
C. Anticipation
D. Mosaicism
Italicized rationale: Loss-of-function mutations result in
reduced or absent protein activity, commonly associated
with autosomal recessive disorders.
4. Which phase of the cell cycle is most susceptible to
radiation injury?
A. G0
B. G1
C. M phase
D. S phase
Italicized rationale: Cells are most vulnerable to radiation
during mitosis due to active chromosome separation.
5. A patient with chronic inflammation is at increased risk for
which long-term consequence?
A. Resolution without scarring
B. Decreased fibroblast activity
C. Fibrosis and tissue remodeling
D. Reduced angiogenesis
Italicized rationale: Chronic inflammation promotes
fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, leading
to fibrosis.
6. Which mediator is primarily responsible for vasodilation
during acute inflammation?
A. Platelet-activating factor
B. Histamine
C. Bradykinin
,3|Page
D. Leukotrienes
Italicized rationale: Histamine released from mast cells
causes immediate vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability.
7. A patient presents with localized redness, warmth,
swelling, and pain. These findings are best explained by
which mechanism?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Increased blood flow and vascular permeability
C. Reduced leukocyte migration
D. Platelet aggregation
Italicized rationale: Cardinal signs of inflammation result
from vasodilation and increased permeability allowing
plasma proteins to leak into tissues.
8. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for antigen
presentation to helper T cells?
A. Neutrophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Dendritic cell
D. Natural killer cell
Italicized rationale: Dendritic cells are the most potent
antigen-presenting cells, initiating adaptive immune
responses.
9. In type I hypersensitivity reactions, which immunoglobulin
is involved?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgA
D. IgE
Italicized rationale: IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
is the hallmark of immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
, 4|Page
10. A patient with septic shock has persistent hypotension
despite fluid resuscitation. Which pathophysiologic
mechanism is most responsible?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Reduced nitric oxide production
C. Systemic vasodilation from inflammatory mediators
D. Increased cardiac afterload
Italicized rationale: Sepsis causes widespread vasodilation
due to cytokine and nitric oxide release, leading to
refractory hypotension.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause
cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Italicized rationale: Elevated potassium directly alters
cardiac membrane excitability, increasing arrhythmia
risk.
12. A patient with prolonged vomiting is at risk for which
acid–base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Italicized rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting
results in metabolic alkalosis.
13. Which compensatory mechanism occurs in metabolic
acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
